It is hard to overstate the significance of the employment law changes going into effect as of July 1, 2020. As Virginia employers presently consider how to return to work following an unprecedented global pandemic, they will soon meet the added challenge of a radically different legal landscape governing employment matters. The affected areas of Virginia employment law are broad, covering wage and hour laws, employee misclassification, LGBTQ rights, employment thresholds for coverage under anti-discrimination laws, and expanded whistleblower protections. Whereas, Virginia was once considered a State where employee rights were extremely narrow, effective July 1, it will have some of the broadest protections available for employees to assert their rights. The following is a summary of the more significant laws going into effect.
Employment Laws
CARES Act Substantially Increases Unemployment Insurance Benefits Nationwide
Authors:
Emily Schifter, Associate, Troutman Sanders
Richard Gerakitis, Partner, Troutman Sanders
Tracey Diamond, Of Counsel, Pepper Hamilton
Rogers Stevens, Associate, Pepper Hamilton
Lee Tankle, Associate, Pepper Hamilton
Susan Lessack, Partner, Pepper Hamilton
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law on…
Temporary Adjustments to I-9 and E-Verify Procedures During the COVID-19 Outbreak
During this time of emergency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided guidance for employers on how to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form, which requires employers to inspect the original documents provided in person by employees. If there are individuals who wish to limit social interactions with…
President Trump Signs Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Authors:
Lee Tankle, Associate, Pepper Hamilton
Moses Tincher, Associate, Troutman Sanders
Tracey Diamond, Of Counsel, Pepper Hamilton
Susan Lessack, Partner, Pepper Hamilton
On March 18, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act). The Act addresses many issues related to the nation’s…
Employer Guidance on Sending Workers Home and Implementing Remote Work Policies: Coronavirus Edition
AUTHORS
Ashley Hager, Partner, Troutman Sanders
Seth Ford, Partner, Troutman Sanders
Emily Reber, Associate, Troutman Sanders
Tracey Diamond, Of Counsel, Pepper Hamilton
We are continuing our series of guidance on the new issues facing employers during the COVID-19 outbreak. In our last post, Coronavirus and OSHA: What…
Join Us For a Complimentary Webinar – Managing Your Workforce During a Pandemic
For two months, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading rapidly across the world. Is your company prepared to handle the issues that will arise if the virus spreads to your community or even becomes a pandemic? In this presentation, Ashley Hager will discuss tips for managing…
California Employers Can Continue Requiring Valid Arbitration Agreements Without Fear of Criminal Prosecution
At the end of last year, we reported that a federal district court had imposed a last-minute temporary restraining order to block California from enforcing its new law (AB 51), which would have imposed criminal penalties on California employers that use mandatory arbitration agreements. That court has now issued a…
New Year, New Laws: Ten Employment Updates for 2020
The start of a new year is a great time for employers to look ahead for changes in the law that will affect their organizations. In this blog post, we will lay out some of the key issues that employers can expect to encounter in the year ahead.
- Exempt Salary
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San Francisco MCLE Day
Join Troutman Sanders at our San Francisco office on Thursday, January 16th for our annual MCLE day. We will discuss employment law updates for 2020, diversity and inclusion, data privacy and an update and review of the U.S. Supreme Court. Mark Payne, Kristalyn Lee, and Christopher Gelpi will…
Court Temporarily Blocks California’s New Law (AB 51) That Prohibits Employers From Using Mandatory Arbitration Agreements
Beginning January 1, 2020, California law (known as AB 51) makes it a criminal misdemeanor for employers to require arbitration as a condition of employment. The law specifically prohibits mandatory arbitration of claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (such as for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation) and claims…